Exhaust pipe ball connector

ABSTRACT

An exhaust pipe ball connector has two iron rings with outer spherical surfaces. A sheet metal exit sleeve has a spherical end embracing one ring. A sheet metal downstream tube is beaded and flanged to engage the inside of that ring. A sheet metal upstream tube at one end telescopes into the downstream tube, with an annular seal between the telescoping portions, and at the other end is spherical and embraces the other ring. A sheet metal entrance sleeve is beaded and flanged to engage the inside of the other ring.

United States Patent Coats [4 1 Mar. 28, W72

54] EXHAUST PIPE BALL CONNECTOR David E. Coats, San Francisco, Calif.[73] Assignee: Western Piping & Engineering Co., inc. [22] Filed: Sept.24, 1970 [2!] Appl. No.: 75,104

[ 72] Inventor:

[52] [1.8. CI. ..285/l65 [51] Int. Cl. ..Fl6l 27/02 [58] Field otSearch..285/l65, 166, 261

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,219,752 10/1940 Rohr..285/l66 2,329,369 9/l943 i-laver ..285/l66 2,502,753 4/1950 Rohr..285/166 Primary Examiner-Andrew V. Kundrat Attorney-Lothrop & West[57] ABSTRACT An exhaust pipe ball connector has two iron rings withouter spherical surfaces. A sheet metal exit sleeve has a spherical endembracing one ring. A sheet metal downstream tube is beaded and flangedto engage the inside of that ring. A sheet metal upstream tube at oneend telescopes into the downstream tube, with an annular seal betweenthe telescoping portions, and at the other end is spherical and embracesthe other ring. A sheet metal entrance sleeve is beaded and flanged toengage the inside of the other ring.

5 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PAIENTEUMARgB 1912 IN VENTOR.

DAVID E. COATS ATTORNEYS EXHAUST PIPE BALL CONNECTOR Many differentconnections have been designed and utilized for conveying exhaust gasfrom an engine or turbine to a point of release and also having theproperty of moving or shifting either an initial installation only orduring ordinary use. The motion is usually designed to compensate insome part for expension and contraction of the connector itself.Sometimes the motion is to allow operational movement between the sourceof the exhaust gas and its discharge mechanism. Sometimes the motion isonly needed for initial installation to accommodate any dimensionaldiscrepancies that may arise in individual cases between the device fromwhich the exhaust issues and the structure into which it is discharged.Sometimes all of these factors are involved.

Among devices of this sort are those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,219,752,issued Oct. 29, 1940, to F. H. Rohr and 2,329,369, issued Sept. 14,1943, to R. L. Haver. The Rohr and l-laver joints have gone intowide-spread use and have generally been quite satisfactory andsuccessful. 1 have found, however, that particularly in automotiveinstallations, as distinguished from aircraft installations for whichthe Rohr and Haver devices are particularly adapted, and especially inconnection with joints or connectors for trucks, buses and the like thatwhile some accommodation to varied dimensions at initial installation ishighly desirable, it is not always necessary to provide for a great dealof other motion in the connector except possibly that due to normalexpansion and contraction of the structure itself. However, what motionis found between the relatively movable parts usually occurs not when'the parts are at atmospheric temperature and can readily move withrespect to each other but occurs when the parts are at elevated temperatures. Sometimes all the parts are not at the same elevatedtemperatures. This sometimes results either in initial difficulty withfitting and with gas leakage at relatively low temperatures or with gasleakage and rapid material wear at elevated temperatures.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide an exhaust pipeball connector, especially for truck and bus use which operates wellover a wide temperature range from atmospheric temperature up torelatively high temperatures.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exhaust pipe ballconnector in which the gases being carried have little or no opportunityto leak or seep.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exhaust pipe ballconnector affording adequate movement for accom-' modating discrepanciesin dimensions upon initial installation, for taking care of motions dueto thermal expansion and contraction and for taking care of some motionduring operation; for example, due to relative displacement between theengine and the muffler.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exhaust pipe ballconnector which can readily and economically be fabricated and utilized.

A further object of the invention is to provide an exhaust pipe ballconnector that is generally an improvement over previously availableexhaust pipe ball connectors.

Other objects, together with the foregoing, are set forth in theaccompanying description and are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

The single FIGURE on the lower half is a side elevation of an exhaustpipe ball connector pursuant to the invention, and on the upper half isa cross section through such connector on a radial plane.

While the precise construction and configuration of the exhaust pipeball connector pursuant to the invention can be varied in numerous ways,it has successfully been incorporated as illustrated herein for use witha turbine or engine having a circular-cylindrical exhaust pipe 6generally disposed along an axis 7. Hot gases from the exhaust pipe 6are to be directed into a tail pipe 8, representing either a portion ofa muffler or of some other gas discharging device.

The distance between the exhaust pipe 6 and the tail pipe 8 in an axialdirection may vary from time to time on one vehicle or may vary fromvehicle to vehicle. In addition, the axis 7 may not always coincide withthe momentary axis of the pipe 8.

For use under these and related circumstances, 1 preferably provide ameans for joining the pipes 6 and 8. The presently preferred structureincludes a first ring 11. The ring 11 is an annulus having acircular-cylindrical inner surface 12 and a spherical outer surface 13,the mergers of the surfaces being slightly rounded. The first ring 11 ispreferably fabricated of a metal that is a very good heat conductor andalso is made to have a close-grained outer surface 13 for dimensionalstability and low friction. For those and other reasons, it is presentlypreferred to make the first ring 11 of sintered iron so that it is quitecompact and an excellent heat transfer agent. The ring is alsoconditioned externally, preferably by a steam treatment, so that theouter surface 13 has a low coefiicient of friction.

Designed to fit within the first ring is an entrance sleeve 14. This ispreferably fabricated of sheet metal such as aluminized steel having apredetermined, relatively thin wall dimensioned. The sleeve 14 isgenerally a circular-cylindrical body and fits snugly within the firstring so that the sleeve is in close thermal contact with the innersurface 12. The end of the entrance sleeve is provided with acircumferential, out-turned flange 16 seated against the curved end ofthe first ring 11 and is likewise provided with a peripheral, outwardlyextending bead 15. The bead abuts closely against the curved end surfaceof the entrance ring so that, in effect, the ring and sleeve are held inclose mechanical connection and also in excellent heat transferrelationship.

Although many different manners of connection may be utilized, it isconvenient to provide a standard clamp band 17 around the end of theentrance sleeve so that that sleeve can be closed against the pipe 6.Axial end slots 18 are provided in the margin of the entrance sleeve sothat some slight deformity of the sleeve effectuates a close fit.

At a convenient distance downstream from the entrance sleeve and fromthe first ring 11, there is provided a second ring 21. This ispreferably identical to the first ring 12 and is usually disposedapproximately coaxially therewith. The ring 21 has acircular-cylindrical inner surface 22 and a spherical outer surface 23,the two surfaces merging in rounded ends.

An exit sleeve 26 is fabricated of material similar to that of theentrance sleeve. It is a generally circular-cylindrical body, at one endhaving a spherical portion 27 with a spherical inner surface 28 slidablyengaging the surface 23 and with a spherical outer surface 29. Thesleeve 26 is provided with slots 31 axially extending into one end sothat the sleeve can be slightly deformed over and tightly clampedagainst a pipe 8 by a constricting band 32 or other suitable fasteningdevice.

Engaged with the second ring 21 is a downstream tube 41 comprised of thesame material as the exit and entrance sleeves and of generallycircular-cylindrical configuration. The tube 41 is about the samediameter as the sleeve 26 and at one end has an out-turned flange 42lying closely against the end of the second ring 21. Upstream from theflange 42 the downstream tube has an out-turned bead 43 lying againstthe other end of the second ring 21. The ring and tube are mechanicallyclosely related and are so tightly fastened together as to afford goodheat transfer characteristics.

At one end disposed within the downstream tube in a telescopic fashionis an upstream tube 46, likewise constructed of the same wall materialas the sleeves. At one end the tube 46 has a spherical portion 47 withan inner spherical surface 48 slidably engaging the outer sphericalsurface 13 and with an outer surface 49 of spherical configuration. Theupstream tube 46 has an intermediate portion 51 with its diametersufficiently reduced so as to provide an extension 52 slidably engagedwithin the surrounding portion of the downstream tube 41. There is asubstantial telescopic overlap of the portions 52 and 41, both of whichin part normally extend well within and in good thermal relationshipwith the second ring 21. The relationship of the parts 41 and S2 is suchthat they have substantial relative axial movement in order to changethe center-tocenter distance between the rings 11 and 21. Because thereis some slight clearance between these parts, it is preferred to disposewithin the bead 43 a finely wound, metallic seal 53. This is usually anannular springlike member allowing axial motion but substantiallyblocking gas flow through any space between the portions 41 and 52.

With an arrangement of this sort, the mounting of the ball connector isalways with the upstream sleeve 14 adjacent the incoming gases, As suchgases travel through the sleeve 14 into the tube 46, their velocitytends to keep them from reversing into and leaking between the sphericalsurfaces. Since those gases are quite hot it is important that the ring11 and the upstream or entrance sleeve be in close thermal relationshipso that the relatively thin sheet metal afforded a heat sink. The ring11 acts in that fashion and, being close to the exterior, serves as amassive radiator of heat.

Somewhat similarly, gases flowing downstream through the extension 52tend to travel past the space between that extension and the member 41and to move away from the space between the second ring 21 and thesphere 29. If there is a gas leakage, it tends to be atmospheric airmoving into the interior of the connector by injection and this isbeneficial. Here also, the metal sleeves 52 and 22 are in closejuxtaposition not only with each other but also with the ring 21. Thering thus serves as a heat sink for the relatively thin sheet metal,thus precluding overheating of the sheet metal and rapid erosion andheat deterioration thereof. Additionally, the principal sliding surfaceaffected by separation and approaching movement of the ball joints iswithin the ring 21. This maintains the parts very close to theiroriginal, cold configuration. Distortion due to heat is greatlyminimized. It is found in practice that the ball connector continues tooperate satisfactorily after it has been in long, severe service.

In most cases, the ball connector, when first installed, is set with thespheres located at an axial spacing so that the pipes 6 and 8 are wellconnected. The axial distance may vary from case to case. The overlapbetween the members 41 and 52 may vary from installation toinstallation. After installation, there is often very little axialmotion, such motion as there may be being taken up by relative motionbetween the parts cold cause some creeping and movement of the parts butwith the sliding members back up by the massive rings 11 and 21, theshape of the parts does not substantially vary whether hot or cold orwhether new or old.

What is claimed is:

1. An exhaust pipe ball connector comprising a first ring having acircular-cylindrical interior surface and a spherical outer surface, anentrance sleeve having one end disposed within said first ring againstsaid interior surface, means on said entrance sleeve providing anout-turned flange abutting one edge of said first ring, means on saidentrance sleeve providing an external bead abutting the other edge ofsaid first ring, a second ring having a circular-cylindrical interiorsurface and a spherical outer surface, an exit sleeve, means on saidexit sleeve forming a spherical inner surface disposed against saidspherical outer surface on said second ring, a downstream tube havingone end disposed within said second ring against said interior surface,means on said downstream tube providing an out-turned flange abuttingone edge of said second ring, means on said downstream tube providing anexternal bead abutting the other edge of said second ring, an upstreamtube, means on said upstream tube forming a spherical inner surfacedisposed against said spherical outer surface on said first ring, meanson said upstream tube telescoping within said downstream tube, and aseal disposed in said external head on said downstream tube and abuttingthe telescoping portion of said upstream tube.

2. A connector as in claim 1 in which said first and second rings are ofheat-conducting, solid material.

. A connector as in claim 1 in which said entrance sleeve,

said exit sleeve, said upstream tube and said downstream tube are allofsubstantially the same thickness of sheet metal.

4. A connector as in claim 1 in which at least some of the telescopingportions of said upstream tube and said downstream tube lie within saidsecond ring.

5. A connector as in claim 1 in which said spherical outer surface ofsaid first ring and said spherical inner surface of said upstream tubeslide over each other, said spherical outer surface ofsaid second ringand said spherical inner surface of said 41 and 52 Each ball orSpherical Connection allows a total of exit sleeve slide over eachother, and the telescoping portions about 20 angular or swingingmovement about the center of each sphere. This is adequate for mostcommercial installations. Variations in temperature of the units betweenhot and of said upstream tube and said downstream tube slide over eachother.

1. An exhaust pipe ball connector comprising a first ring having acircular-cylindrical interior surface and a spherical outer surface, anentrance sleeve having one end disposed within said first ring againstsaid interior surface, means on said entrance sleeve providing anout-turned flange abutting one edge of said first ring, means on saidentrance sleeve providing an external bead abutting the other edge ofsaid first ring, a second ring having a circular-cylindrical interiorsurface and a spherical outer surface, an exit sleeve, means on saidexit sleeve forming a spherical inner surface disposed against saidspherical outer surface on said second ring, a downstream tube havingone end disposed within said second ring against said interior surface,means on said downstream tube providing an out-turned flange abuttingone edge of said second ring, means on said downstream tube providing anexternal bead abutting the other edge of said second ring, an upstreamtube, means on said upstream tube forming a spherical inner surfacedisposed against said spherical outer surface on said first ring, meanson said upstream tube telescoping within said downstream tube, and aseal disposed in said external bead on said downstream tube and abuttingthe telescoping portion of said upstream tube.
 2. A connector as inclaim 1 in which said first and second rings are of heat-conducting,solid material.
 3. A connector as in claim 1 in which said entrancesleeve, said exit sleeve, said upstream tube and said downstream tubeare all of substantially the same thickness of sheet metal.
 4. Aconnector as in claim 1 in which at least some of the telescopingportions of said upstream tube and said downstream tube lie within saidsecond ring.
 5. A connector as in claim 1 in which said spherical outersurface of said first ring and said spherical inner surface of saidupstream tube slide over each other, said spherical outer surface ofsaid second ring and said spherical inner surface of said exit sleeveslide over each other, and the telescoping portions of said upstreamtube and said downstream tube slide over each other.